Behind the (Writing) Scenes with…

Catherine T. Horn, Greenwich Branch

Taking a Ride on Butterfly Wings Finally Emerges

I have always been enamored with picture books, enthralled by the stories and poems that are enhanced by colorful illustrations. They seem to be the perfect combination of art forms created to educate and entertain children.

In 1992, I wrote a poem for my children. That poem latched onto my heart, and I couldn’t let it go. I had envisioned it as a picture book since its inception and submitted it to a publishing house. Months later, I received my first rejection letter.

A few years later, I changed the title to “Taking a Ride on Butterfly Wings” and submitted it to Writer’s Digest Magazine’s Annual Writing Competition. Then, I received a letter from the editor congratulating me — my manuscript ranked 20th place out of the top 100 winners and was awarded honorable mention in children’s fiction. That gave me the courage and confidence to continue on this path.

Over the next decades, “Butterfly Wings” went through numerous revisions as I continued to refine it and submit it, only to have it rejected again — a total of 11 times.

In 2023, I decided to pursue self-publishing. I contacted a creative visual artist, Martha Ratcliff, who agreed to work with me. We communicated via email and her file-sharing application until, in the spring of 2024, I was in possession of all the illustrations.

Next, I contracted with a book design and publishing company, who reformatted the manuscript, created the covers, and prepared the interiors for both hardcover and paperback versions.

Finally, more than three decades later, my picture book was published on August 1, 2024. Like the transformative journey of a caterpillar turning into a butterfly, “Taking a Ride on Butterfly Wings” has emerged as a unique, special, and beautiful creation. It took a lot longer than the average number of days a caterpillar stays in a chrysalis, but the important thing is, the book is here. It is stunning and meaningful, and receiving rave reviews.

Hard work, determination, fortitude, and the ability to face obstacles without giving up allows one to reach goals, achieve dreams, and, indeed, make wishes come true. So now, as a 68-year-old grandmother, I am finally a published children’s book author.

Catherine T. Horn is a retired educator with 35-plus years of experience as a special education teacher and school psychologist. She currently serves as the Greenwich Branch letters co-chair and is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Authors and Illustrators. “Taking a Ride on Butterfly Wings” is available at amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com. Learn more at Lululanepress.com.